Dedicated washing machine for hats

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a dedicated washing machine for hats. In an embodiment of the invention, the dedicated hat washing machine comprises an upper lid with integrated spray tubes, a hat retainer form, and a wash tub with lower spray tubes. The upper lid is connected to the wash tub via a rear hinge, side latch, and front lock. A rubber seal is provided to prevent water from leaving the washing machine. The washing machine further comprises an electric drive motor, wash pump, drain pump, water pressure supply line, heating element, float valve, power supply, cycle controls, and soap dispenser.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/182,342, filed Jun. 19, 2015, and entitled “Hat Trick—Dedicated Washing Machine for Hats,” the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a dedicated washing machine for hats such as, but not limited to baseball caps.

2. Description of Related Art

Hat racks such as the PerfectCurve Cap Washer exist for washing a baseball cap in a washing machine or dishwasher. A hat rack protects the cap from getting crushed in the washing machine or dishwasher. However, a hat rack does not provide adequate cleaning of the cap as it relies on a general purporse washing machine or dishwasher that is intended for clothes or dishes, respectively, not hats. A need exists for a dedicated washing machine for hats.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes these and other deficiencies of the prior art by providing a dedicated washing machine for hats. In an embodiment of the invention, the dedicated hat washing machine comprises an upper lid with integrated spray tubes, a hat retainer form, and a wash tub with lower spray tubes. The upper lid is connected to the wash tub via a rear hinge, side latch, and front lock. A rubber seal is provided to prevent water from leaving the washing machine. The washing machine further comprises an electric drive motor, wash pump, drain pump, water pressure supply line, heating element, float valve, power supply, cycle controls, and soap dispenser.

A washing machine for hats comprising: an upper lid with integrated upper spray tubes; a hat retainer form; lower spray tubes; and a wash tub. The hat retainer form is baseball hat shaped. The upper lid is also baseball hat shaped. The washing machine further comprises a heating element, water and drain leads, and a soap dispenser. An electric drive motor, a wash pump, and a drain pump are provided, wherein the electric drive motor powers the wash pump and the drain pump. A water pressure supply line coupled to the wash pump to dispense water via the lower spray tubes and upper spray tubes. A float valve is configured to detect a water level in the wash tub. An O-ring seal forms a watertight seal between the upper lid and the wash tub. A rear hinge couples the upper lid to the wash tub. A side latch and/or front lock is provided to secure the upper lid to the wash tub.

An advantage of the present invention is that it washes hats better than a hat rack in a dishwasher or washing machine.

The foregoing, and other features and advantages of the invention, will be apparent from the following, more particular description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, the accompanying drawings, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the objects and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of a washing machine for hats according to an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 2 illustrates an assembled view of the washing machine of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Further features and advantages of the invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the invention, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying FIGS. 1-2. Although the embodiments of the invention are described in the context of baseball caps, one of ordinary skill in the art readily appreciates that the inventive concepts described herein can be adapted for other types of hats such as, but not limited to visors and cowboy hats.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of a washing machine for hats according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 illustrates an assembled view of the washing machine in a position. The washing machine comprises an upper lid with integrated spray tubes, a hat retainer form, lower spray tubes, and wash tub. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the upper lid and hat retainer form are baseball hat shaped to secure a baseball hat when the washing machine is closed. The upper lid is connected to the wash tub via a rear hinge, front lock, and side latch. A rubber seal such as an O-ring is provided to prevent water leakage. An electric drive motor powers a wash pump and drain pump. The electric drive motor is powered by a power supply. A water pressure supply line is coupled to the wash pump to dispense water via the lower spray tubes and upper spray tubes. A float valve is provided to detect water levels in the wash tub. A heating element is provided for drying a hat and/or to heat the water. Water and drain leads are coupled to a water faucet and drain, respectively. Cycle controls, the implementation of which are apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, and a soap dispenser are provided on the housing of the wash tub. Options for a hot or cold wash are provided.

In operation, a hat is placed on the hat retainer form, which is placed in the wash tub. A dissolvable soap packet is placed into the soap dispenser. Alternatively, soap is directly placed into the soap dispenser. The upper lid is secured to the wash tub via by closing the front lock and side latch. Start is entered in the cycle controls and water is then pumped in through the water pressure supply lines and sprayed onto the hat via the upper and lower spray tubes. Water and soap are recirculated through the wash pump. After a predetermined time, washing stops and the drain pump drains the soap and water. A rinse cycle starts by pumping clean water again through the water pressure supply lines, which is sprayed on the hat via the upper and lower spray tubes. Rinsing water is recirculated through the supply lines. After a predetermined time, rinsing stops and the drain pump drains the water. The heater element is then powered to dry the hat for a predetermined time.

The invention has been described herein using specific embodiments for the purposes of illustration only. It will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, however, that the principles of the invention can be embodied in other ways. Therefore, the invention should not be regarded as being limited in scope to the specific embodiments disclosed herein. 

I claim:
 1. A washing machine for hats comprising: an upper lid with integrated upper spray tubes; a hat retainer form; lower spray tubes; and a wash tub.
 2. The washing machine for hats of claim 1, wherein the hat retainer form is baseball hat shaped.
 3. The washing machine for hats of claim 2, wherein the upper lid is baseball hat shaped.
 4. The washing machine for hats of claim 1, further comprising a heating element.
 5. The washing machine for hats of claim 1, further comprising water and drain leads.
 6. The washing machine for hats of claim 1, further comprising a soap dispenser.
 7. The washing machine for hats of claim 1, further comprising an electric drive motor, a wash pump, and a drain pump, wherein the electric drive motor powers the wash pump and the drain pump.
 8. The washing machine for hats of claim 1, further comprising a water pressure supply line coupled to the wash pump, the water pressure supply line configured to dispense water via the lower spray tubes and upper spray tubes.
 9. The washing machine for hats of claim 1, further comprising a float valve configured to detect a water level in the wash tub.
 10. The washing machine for hats of claim 1, further comprising an O-ring seal to form a watertight seal between the upper lid and the wash tub.
 11. The washing machine for hats of claim 1, further comprising a rear hinge coupling the upper lid to the wash tub.
 12. The washing machine for hats of claim 11, further comprising a side latch and/or front lock to secure the upper lid to the wash tub. 